The idea of who could play Vimes has been plaguing me for years. He seems to be one of these characters that is impossible for everyone to agree on. After much thought and consideration, the only person i can think of would maybe be a combination of Hugh Laurie and Liam Neeson. What do you think...?

But if I had to pick a real person, I think I would go for Hugh Laurie.

Hi Minn Good choice. But he's one of those people where half the viewers would be saying "ooh look, it's Bertie Wooster!" and the other half would be saying "isn't it ages since the last season of House was on?". If they could get an unknown who looks like Hugh Laurie, with a bit of Jack Dee's cynicism and Vinnie Jones' barely controlled fury, bob on.

What's up with this glass? Excuse me? Excuse me? This is my glass? I don't think so. My glass was full! And it was a bigger glass!

Makeup can truly make a pretty face look gritty and careworn - look at Robert Downey Jr in the Sherlock Holmes movies. Having seen him as Holmes, I now cast him as Vimes in the cinema of my mind. I love Hugh Laurie, but I think he is too lanky. I always envisioned Vimes as not-too-tall but wiry. Is there any mention in the books of Sam's height?

I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.--Douglas Adams

Aquamarine wrote:I would have said Pete Postlethwaite myself, but sadly he passed away. He was a great actor, and would have been awesome for the role.

Maybe he could play Reg?

Not only was he Terry's idea for the part, if you look in Where's my cow, the vines there is also based on Postlethwaite.

I'd sort of like to see Chris Ecclestone but I think he is a bit too tall. I've always imagined Vimes to be quite heavyset and he must be a Londoner. Reckon Ray Winstone if I have to choose, now for Nobby maybe Phil Daniels.